Stellar Blade Studio Boosts Morale with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Summary

• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up gifted its employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and around $3,400 following the game's success.
• The title continues to see popularity, with several high-profile crossovers driving engagement.
• A PC port is expected to be released in 2025.

Shift Up, the creative force behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, has generously rewarded its team with a PlayStation 5 Pro and approximately $3,400 each as a year-end bonus. Stellar Blade, launched in April 2024, quickly became one of the year's most celebrated titles, garnering high praise from both gamers and critics.

Despite initial debates over the protagonist's attire, Stellar Blade achieved remarkable success on the PS5 after its April 2024 debut. The game boasts an impressive average score of 82 on OpenCritic and has secured numerous awards and nominations. Its fast-paced combat, stunning art direction, and captivating soundtrack have been widely acclaimed. Notably, Yoko Taro, the creator of Nier, praised Stellar Blade as "better than NieR: Automata," although the game's director modestly rejected the comparison. The dedication of Shift Up's team was recently acknowledged with substantial bonuses celebrating the game's continued triumph.

Shift Up shared a touching video on Twitter showcasing its employees receiving their complimentary PlayStation 5 Pros. The Korean studio, with over 300 employees, ensured each team member received one of Sony's latest consoles as a year-end reward for their hard work. Additionally, each staff member was awarded a bonus of around $3,400. A company representative stated that these bonuses were intended to motivate the team moving forward. In July 2024, Shift Up successfully raised $320 million on South Korea's stock market before its first trading day, marking the second-largest public offering in the country that year.

Shift Up Gifts All Employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and Around $3,400

As Stellar Blade maintains its momentum, high-profile collaborations have kept the game in the spotlight. The November 2024 Nier: Automata DLC introduced new items and costumes, boosting player engagement. Additionally, a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was announced in late December, though specifics and a timeline remain undisclosed. A holiday-themed event was added in mid-December, enhancing the city of Xion with festive decorations, new musical tracks, and costumes for Eve and Adam.

Initially exclusive to the PlayStation 5, Stellar Blade is set to expand to PC in 2025, though an exact release window has yet to be announced. Shift Up first hinted at a PC version in June 2024, expressing confidence that the game would perform exceptionally well on the new platform. Stellar Blade achieved a significant milestone by selling one million units on the PS5 within just two months of its release.